Below is an explanation about the Robinson emigration by
the Peterborough Centennial Museum at http://www.pcma.ca/index.htm

The Robinson Emigration to Canada
(1823 & 1825)

Why the Irish Came to Peterborough

In 1822, the British parliament voted in favor of financing a large, £30 000
experimental emigration plan to transport poor Irish families to Upper Canada.

Economic conditions in Ireland played a part in forming the plan. Ireland in the 1820s
was in the midst of a severe depression. The value of Irish goods was low, potato crops
were meager (though the Potato Famine was still decades away), and the country’s
population was increasing dramatically.

Furthermore, parliament was also intent on increasing the number of settlers available
to defend the border of British North America (Canada) from the United States. Men in
these Irish families could help form the basis of a militia if border disputes flared up.

Religious factors also motivated Irish people to venture into the unknown and settle in
the "New World". Irish penal laws severely restricted the ability of Irish Roman
Catholics to practice their faith, own land, or even vote in elections.

Peter Robinson

Peter Robinson (only known image of Robinson, left), the son of Loyalists and elder
brother of Upper Canada’s powerful Attorney General, John Beverley Robinson, was asked
to manage this emigration scheme in 1822. At the time he was a politician living in York
(later renamed Toronto).

He sailed for Britain and began forming a workable emigration plan and recruitment
program. He promoted the scheme in southern Ireland (see portion of broadside, above) and
some 50,000 people applied to start new lives in a strange and distant land.

The First Wave of Settlers – Bathurst District

In 1823 the first wave of Irish settlers (568 people) began the long and dangerous
journey to Upper Canada with their final destination in eastern Ontario (the Lanark,
Perth, Ramsay township area).

Two sailing ships - the Hebe and Stakesby carried settlers in cramped
and dank quarters - although nothing like the notorious “coffin ships” that carried
thousands to North America during the potato famine of the 1840s.

The ships landed at Quebec City and the passengers first boarded steamships, then
barges, and then wagons for the final leg of the journey. Settlers were given free
provisions, tools and farmland.

The Second Wave – Peterborough

The second wave of emigration was launched in 1825. As in 1823, thousands applied for
the voyage leaving from Cork. Prospective settlers had to secure letters of recommendation
outlining their qualities and usefulness as settlers. Those selected received
“embarkation certificates” allowing them to board a particular ship.

This time over 1800 people made a journey, and the final destination was Peterborough,
in the Newcastle District (now south central Ontario). Nine ships carried the passengers
on this trip. (See image below PCMA exhibit gallery depicting sleeping quarters aboard
ship).

Before the second wave of settlers was to leave for Canada, Robinson traveled to the
Peterborough area himself to explore conditions, establish a safe travel route and inspect
land. Peterborough at this time was a remote and rugged place with a small population. The
area was to be transformed by the sudden influx of 2000 men, women and children.

Again, the ships arrived at Quebec (June 1825). Settlers were loaded onto steamships
for a trip down the St Lawrence River and Lake Ontario to Cobourg. After a rough land trip
to Rice Lake, the settlers made the final leg of their journey to Peterborough by barge up
the Otonabee River (a 24 mile river trip).

At Peterborough, families were issued free provisions, tools, livestock and farmland.
Families with proud names like: Ryan, Sullivan, Casey, Fitzpatrick, McCarthy, Hannan,
Leahy, O'Brien, Foley, and Shanahan settled throughout Peterborough county, and thousands
of their descendents remain in the area even to this day.

Life was hard for these people. Several died in the years immediately following the
emigration. Some families were given poor farm land and had to relocate. The unforgiving
Canadian winters were, of course, a challenge too.

Although life was difficult, these new Canadians helped to build a great city – just
as new Canadians from India, Eastern Europe, Italy and Asia have continued to do in more
recent times.

The Original Robinson Records at City Archives in Peterborough

Peter Robinson was a methodical record keeper. Fortunately, some 52 linear centimeters
of his records (over 1650 pages) have survived and are part of the archival holdings at
the Peterborough Centennial Museum and Archives. These original records cover both the
1823 (eastern Ontario) and 1825 (Peterborough) emigration plans. Included are: original
ships lists, ship surgeon reports, Robinson's correspondence, embarkation certificates,
applications and letters of recommendation for all 1825 settlers, account books listing
all provisions supplied to the settlers, broadside posters advertising the emigration of
1825 and more.